A/N: I LOVE ALL OF YOUR REVIWES, YOUR FAVORITES, YOUR FOLLOWS! I have a mini dance session when I read a review or get a notification for a new follow/favorite. Pretty sure my friends and family thinks I'm insane for it too….but it keeps me going honestly.
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REPLIES TO REVIEWS ON PREVIOUS CHAPTER:
Samantha (Guest): You're close (; Also I freaked out when you put –san on my name, I feel so honored! But I love all of my followers who read and enjoy this story, so you can just refer to me as
–chan or just ScarlettWriter! (:
Rusty14: That was my friend's reaction when she first read it! Read to find out ;D
Caroline98: You were only on Chapter 2 when you reviewed so I'm a little nervous if you'll still enjoy the story when you get caught up. If you don't, I apologize. BUT if you do I'm so glad! Thank you so much for your uplifting review!
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Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THIS AMAZING SHOW OR ITS CHARACTERS. *Sobs*
Chapter 17: Violet
Mikoto snatched Anna up as soon as the building began to shake, pulling her off of the bed just as a piece of ceiling fell where she was sleeping. Shouts and screams began to fill the air and he narrowed his gaze as he passed off Anna to a stunned Kusanagi.
''Get out of here,'' He instructed, turning away before his friend could top him.
Mikoto ran out of the room, grimacing as dust and smoke hindered his vision. Erecting a red barrier around himself he began to sprint towards where Alaura had been. Nurses and doctors were rushing to help the patients evacuate the building safely, but he ignored them.
''Be there,'' he mumbled under his breath, brows furrowing. ''Be where you said you would be.''
''Suoh!"
Amber orbs tinged with irritation as he looked over his shoulder, seeing Munakata with the others running towards him. Kusanagi had Anna settled on his back, and Mikoto could see her ruby eyes tinged with a panic like fear.
''I told you to get out of here.'' He groused, watching Munakata erect shields of blue to protect the patients and hospital staff as they tried to leave.
''Like hell I'm going to leave without Alaura!" Liz shouted, her and Kuroh pushing past him to keep running towards where she said she would be. Yata offered a thin grin before taking off after them, Shiro following with a worried frown.
''Get Anna out of here, Kusanagi.'' Mikoto ordered, getting ready to turn back and head for Alaura.
"I can't, Mikoto.'' Kusanagi shook his head. ''She won't let me.''
Mikoto raised his gaze to meet Anna's, frowning at the apparent fear there. "It's not safe here, Anna.''
''No, Mikoto.'' She responded quietly, the fear in her eyes wavering with unshed tears. "I need Alaura to leave with me. She needs to be with me.''
He could understand the underlying fear the young girl had. She had become quickly attached to the woman, and her death had impacted Anna harshly. When Alaura was unconscious Anna would become extremely irritable if she didn't get to be in the room.
The others were shocked at the uncharacteristic traits Anna had possessed, but Mikoto could relate to the feeling.
The need to make sure Alaura was really alive.
''Fine.'' He sighed, waving his hand as a red shield encased the two. ''But stay with Kusanagi.''
Without a second look Mikoto started forward again, leaving Munakata to deal with the citizens. The sounds of their feet hitting the tile floor couldn't be heard over the second rumble that shook the building, all they could hear were cries of panic.
Mikoto turned the corner of the hall and stopped at what came into view.
Liz and Kuroh were blood soaked, eyes full of anger as they threw their fists over and over again at a rippling shield in the frame of Fushimi's door. Liz's raven colored hair was whipping around with every sharp shove she would give, Kuroh's ponytail whipping viciously as he slashed at the shield with his sword.
''ALAURA!" Liz shouted, rearing back a flame coated fist and hurling forward. The flames did nothing to hurt the shield, if anything it seemed to absorb to flames and become stronger.
Yata was beside them, lips pulled back to express his irritation as he attempted to take the wall down. Trickles of blood fell from his knuckles but he ignored them. Mikoto felt confused at Yata's struggle to break down the wall, the boy was strong enough if he tried.
Shiro was watching with wide eyes, clutching Neko to his side.
''Yata!" Kusanagi called out, running ahead and pulling the teen away from the cracked wall. He frowned at him. "What the hell is going on?!"
''Get off of me Mr. Kusanagi!" Yata snapped, shoving him aside and taking up his post. "That woman is hurting Alaura!"
That woman is hurting Alaura.
As if the magic words snapped him back to the present he stalked forward slowly, feeling the bubbling rage build too quickly inside of him.
Kuroh's blue eyes were steely as he clamored at the shield, his shouts becoming desperate. He could see his sister's arched body, her eyes leaking over with tears and her mouth open in a soundless scream.
He threw another useless punch and clenched his eyes shut. Why couldn't he ever protect her?!
"Don't stop!" Liz broke through his thoughts, pulling his attention to her smoke smudged face. Her eyes were aflame with her will. ''Don't you dare give up, Kuroh! She needs our help damn it!"
Stunned, Kuroh nodded slightly. Liz nodded grimly at him and threw another fierce punch at the shield.
This time, it cracked.
"It cracked!" She exclaimed, throwing another punch even harder at the long crack that ran through the shield. "Kuroh! Yata! It's cracking!"
The two didn't need to be told twice as they kept on going, the thought of Fushimi and Alaura trapped inside fueling them on.
"Move.''
Mikoto felt cool, his eyes landing on the twisted form of Alaura as she spasmed in a hospital chair. The shield was a deep purple that shimmered with each punch thrown at it, allowing him a crystal clear view of her and Fushimi struggling with whatever was happening in the room.
He saw red beginning to bloom on her chest, and his patience snapped.
Red flames burst forward from his body, shooting out and landing blows on the shield and wall. The hall shook with the repeated force, red flames pouring out and licking at the edges of the walls. He didn't take notice, focusing on deepening the crack Liz and Kuroh had started.
It wasn't enough.
Mikoto barely got to see Fushimi grip Alaura before the two blinked out of existence. His flames died down as the barrier became covered in multiple cracks and he engulfed the others in red just as shards exploded towards them. The sounds of clinking glass met their ears as the shaking of the building halted abruptly.
They paused as his shield faded away, everyone stunned stupid at what had just happened. No one could form a word, let alone move as the events began to register in their minds.
Anna realized it sooner. "No!'' she cried, pushing away Kusanagi and dropping to the floor. Her shoes clicked against the floor as she shot into the room, spinning in circles and opening doors with all of her strength.
Tears glossed over her eyes as she fell to her knees in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands and crying silently. Her shoulders shook as the sound of her tears echoed to them.
''I can't feel her here,'' she whispered tearfully, sniffling. ''I can't feel her or Fushimi. I can't, I can't…they're not…''
Liz shook and turned to punch the wall, her teeth clenched as she felt her aggravation and fear rise and plummet all at once. Yata came and pulled her into his arms, feeling a deep ball of worry settle in his chest as his hazel eyes settled on the scattered pools of blood around the now vacant chair.
Kuroh fell back, blue eyes closing as he grimaced and gripped the handle to his sword. His bangs covered his face as he felt his own panic settle in. Shiro tentatively reached out to place a hand on Kuroh's shoulder, his lips pulled down into a frown as he surveyed the blood drops.
Alaura's wound had reopened.
Almost robotically, Mikoto walked quietly into the room to where Anna was crying. Hearing his heavy footsteps the little girl looked up, her pale cheeks tracked with tears that fell into her palms.
"Mikoto?" She questioned quietly. "Is Alaura okay?"
The red headed King didn't answer her right away. Instead he bent down on one knee to place the pad of his fingertip into the blood. He watched it intently, rubbing the red liquid between his thumb and pointer finger. It was warm.
Red is her favorite color, he thought absently. Amber orbs flickered back as he wiped his hand on his pant leg, the sight of her blood doing little to settle his rage.
''That was the Purple King.'' He stated, staring pointedly at the Silver King. ''wasn't it?''
Shiro started at his question and blinked. ''I assume…yes, I think it must have been. It just-I don't see why he would take her and Fushimi with him instead of killing her right here and now.''
"Maybe he wants to gloat.'' Yata seethed. ''I'll show him where to stick his fucking gloating. As soon as we find him I swear I'll kill him! Who the hell does he think he is?!"
Shiro frowned and shook his head. ''I don't think it's just a gloat he wants to show by kidnapping the two of them…''
He trailed off, leaving the others to put it together in their own heads.
Mikoto frowned. ''He wants war with the blue and red clans.''
The white haired boy nodded reluctantly. "Exactly. That's my thought process to why he would openly show himself to us in the daylight, and the only reason I can think of why he wouldn't kill Alaura while he had the chance.''
''Why want a war though?" Liz spoke up, still holding on tightly to Yata. "And with the blues? Why face two crazy strong clans?"
''Because with a war,'' Kuroh frowned at his thoughts. "Alaura would be forced to choose.''
"Choose?" Liz echoed in question.
Shiro grimaced and sighed. "Kuroh and I had noticed that all of the attempts on Alaura's life had been through someone else with the Purple King's possible influence. We think that the King can't kill Alaura himself, or risk the power of the sixth King disappearing.''
Kusanagi shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense, wouldn't the same thing happen if someone else killed her?''
''You would think so,'' Kuroh started. ''but it's possible, with Liz's theory of a test, that if a Purple king were to kill one of his own clan he would automatically fail. With a King, we're guessing that if they attempt to kill the next in line the demons would become frantic and totally consume the current, killing off them and ending the Purple King's reign.''
"So many what ifs.'' Anna mumbled softly as she held her self, locks of white falling forward. ''it's no wonder he stayed hidden all these years…Can you imagine if Alaura wasn't in Homra, if the Colorless king hadn't adopted her? She would have died so long ago...''
Mikoto frowned at Anna's truth filled words. Liz and Kuroh looked away while Yata and Kusanagi frowned. Shiro closed his eyes as he sighed.
If Master Ichigen hadn't taken Alaura into his home, none of their lives would have played out the way they had so far.
''I still don't get why Alaura would have to choose?" Liz piped up, running a hand through pin straight raven hair. "I get taking Fushimi to piss off the blues, but what's the point of making Alaura choose?"
A grim look crossed Kuroh's face as he breathed in deeply, almost afraid to admit his and Shiro's theory.
''Imagine that the Purple King presented Alaura with an ultimatum. The choice is allow whatever strength or trick he has up his sleeves to battle full force against Homra and Scepter 4, risking the lives of her family…or kill herself to stop everything.''
A look of stunned horror settled on Liz's face as a red hue of anger began to bloom on her cheeks. "That's-'' she stuttered. "That's ridiculous! Alaura would never-''
"-She wouldn't?" Kuroh snapped, interrupting Liz icily and making her wince at the tone. "Alaura really wouldn't give up her life if the promise of safety for the people she loves was ensured?''
''She sure as hell wouldn't roll over on her back at the threat!" Liz snapped back, finding her voice. "The thing with Mikoto was different! We were all seconds away from death and she thought she was doing something right by stopping it all! It wasn't a threat by some power hungry ass hat!"
''Alaura doesn't have ego!" Kuroh's voice raised. ''She believes in us, she believes she is strong, but she isn't stupid enough to be okay with a couple of casualties if it means being able to say 'I told you so'. She will willingly give up her life if it meant everyone lived. The notion of even one person dying would be enough motive!"
The two siblings glared heatedly, only snapping out of their staring contest when the sounds of boots met their ears.
Munakata was advancing slowly towards them, his whole demeanor collected as he watched them. Awashima stood at his side, their neutral looks in place.
''I could hear this discussion a lifetime away,'' he stated, looking down to see the blood by Mikoto's shoes. ''I second the theory of an ultimatum. The Purple King believes he has the upper hand here and now anxiously waits for the chance to dangle it in Alaura and our faces.''
''A bit late there, Munakata.'' Mikoto said dryly, his anger not cooling at how calm Munakata appeared. It was pissing him off, that fucking formality. They were all friends here and he kept on with the charade.
''My apologies, Suoh.'' Munakata raised a brow. "I'll be sure to hurry next time-oof!"
"Where the fuck is she? Where in the hell is Fushimi?" Mikoto growled low, gripping the front of Munakata's coat and bringing their faces close as he slammed him into the wall. "If you can't answer that question, then I suggest you keep your mouth shut.''
Awashima gasped and went forward to help, hand already poised at her sword but Munakata waved her away.
Amber burned into purple, red flames licking at the soles of Mikoto's feet. ''Keep in mind, Suoh, that Fushimi is one of my men and I know is also missing.'' Munakata slowly pushed aside Mikoto's flame coated fist.
The renowned temper the Third King possessed had shown itself.
"Stop fighting.'' Anna insisted quietly, looking at the adults in the room. Her sad eyes were enough for the bickering to cease. ''Fighting won't help find them. We're wasting time.''
''She's right,'' Shiro started, coming forward to kneel by the splatters of blood. Neko perched on his shoulder, looking intimidated by the amount of power in one room. "It's not like it's a cold trail…we can track Alaura with her blood.''
"Her blood?" Yata repeated grimacing. ''How is that even possible?"
''Blood is the signature of who you are,'' Shiro began to make symbols into the puddles. "With a few tricks it will be easy. The only problem with locator spells is only true birth given magic, strains for example, can use it." He looked sheepishly at Anna and held out a blood stained hand. "Will you help us?"
Blood red eyes watched the drying liquid, thoughts running a mile a minute in her head. All were on the two smiles she wished were with her now and the echo of a promise that she had been made.
''No more dying.'' A wide, serene smile flashed in her head.
''Anna…'' Warm eyes watched her, though his face was cold. ''are you alright?"
Without missing a beat Anna placed her hand onto the symbol and closed her eyes in concentration.
It's so warm…I couldn't feel her or Fushimi but now…now I can sort of…
The others watched on in tension as a soft red glow began to circle around Anna. Gasps slipped as a soft, almost unnoticeable at first purple streaked soothingly across Anna and settled over her chest. The purple began to lose its rich tone the longer it stayed, the color blending with the red and becoming a beautiful smooth violet.
She was so angry…and worried…I can feel the remnants of her and Fushimi's panic…I think-there!
Ruby orbs snapped open as she started, looking up as soon as the violet vanished. Mikoto kneeled down in front of her and waited patiently.
''I can find them now.'' She whispered, her hands resting over where her heart resided in her chest. "Their feelings are so strong it's like a beacon calling me toward them.''
''You can lead us?" Mikoto asked.
Anna nodded slightly and smiled. "Yes.''
The Red King pulled himself up with a small grin as he looked down at the now smeared pile of red. No deep visions flashed before his eyes, just an image of a girl with brown hair running towards him with a smile. A young boy who walked around with a chip on his shoulder smiled tentatively at him.
''It's war.''
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It smelled disgusting. Like…a wet dog that had been rolling around in his own shit and freshly mowed grass. It burned her eyes and settled in her mouth, making the fluids in her stomach begin to churn.
''Alaura!''
It was cold. For once, she was cold. Her skin felt chilling and prickled with goosebumps. Gods, she felt so out of it. Her head held a dull throb and her mouth was horribly dry.
''Alaura! Damn it, snap the fuck out of it!"
That voice…it sounded like, like Fushimi? But why would he-why would he be wherever she was? Her neck ached along with her shoulders, and her wrists kept clinking with every-
Her.
An animalistic snarl passed between her lips as she lunged forward, the sounds of the restraints on her wrists clinking tight to restrain her. Her muscles tensed and she kept pulling, eyes wide and unfocused as she focused on the way the wall began to become easier to release her.
A deep, yellow red enveloped the metal chain around her wrists. The pain barely registered as she winced, determined to not stop. That woman had tried to threaten her family, tried to take them away from her.
''Alaura! Are you stupid?! Cut it out!"
''Quiet, Fushimi.'' She gritted out, rolling her shoulders forward and gasping as the metal began to drip slowly onto her flesh. The price was a small pain if it meant she could get them out of here.
''I got captured with a fucking lunatic, how delightful.'' The sarcastic tone traveled towards her and she smiled ruefully.
''I wish you hadn't,'' she responded, pausing on pulling on her restraints to sag back against the slightly protruding stones in the wall. Her bare feet barely scraped against the bottom of the floor, her toes probably gathering plenty of dirt.
Weakly she turned her head to see Fushimi staring back at her in the same position as she was. His dark hair hung in his eyes that wore cracked glasses, one piece completely popped out of the frame. His clothes were slightly tattered on the edges but beside that…he was safe.
''You're okay?" She smiled, able to see him with the dimly lit candles.
Fushimi smirked through a small busted lip and uselessly lifted his shoulders. ''As good as that freak let me be. She dragged us in a teleportation power that I've never seen be used before.''
Her brows furrowed. "Teleportation?"
The Blue nodded and sighed, jutting his chin out for her to look at herself. "My guess is she isn't quite the best at it, since our clothes and body paid the price for it. You had started reaching for her neck when we blinked out of the hospital. The effects of the power may have made you lose consciousness.''
Alaura sighed and took a peek at herself, frowning at seeing the thin hospital gown a horrible mess. The edges were completely fraying, there was a tear right across the middle, and a bloom of dried red was on her chest.
''Looks like I'm not winning best dressed at school, hmm?"
"….Did you just-this is hopeless.''
''What? That was funny!"
''I can't be in the same room as you.''
"Aw, two clans bonding with one another. I'm a little jealous, to be totally honest.''
Brown snapped over to the new voice, the sound of the metal door opening and heels clicking in their ears. Alaura tensed at the aura this woman gave off with her flashing white pearls and her blood red eyes. They differed from Anna's, where the little girls were kind this woman's showed her twisted manner.
Her white locks were pulled away from her face by a gorgeous purple clip that was in the shape of a blossoming flower. She wore the same beautiful purple robes she wore the day they were taken from their friends, and she still made Alaura's skin crawl.
''How long have you kept us here?" Alaura demanded, all jokes set aside as she regarded their guest. Fushimi raised a brow at the strong voice and look that she quickly turned into. All forms of lightening the mood had vanished.
The woman tsked and shook her head, coming over to stand by Alaura and peer up at her handcuffs. "I see you've tried to escape.'' She hummed, running a light finger along the red wounds where the metal had dripped along for a second before her powers burnt it away. ''Looks like we need to get you better restraints.''
Irritated at being ignored Alaura pulled her head back and landed her forehead against the woman's nose, catching her off guard and making her jump back away from them.
Pain erupted behind her eyes but she smiled lightly at the grimacing look of pain the woman wore. ''Answer the question, how long have we been here?"
The woman clutched her bloody nose and winced, viewing them with one eye as the other was clenched tightly. ''Two days, you're a little spit fire aren't you?"
"You were ignoring me.'' She stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I hate being ignored.''
''Still,'' the woman pouted and let her hands fall to her side. ''You should show more respect towards your mother.''
You should show more respect towards your mother.
Respect towards
Your mother
Mother
Mom
Mom.
"Alaura! Wake up!" A woman with dark brown locks and brown eyes scooped her out from her bed. Her cheeks were flushed with the excitement for the morning and she tickled an awakening little girl.
''Momma!" The little girl cried out, laughing loudly as her body kicked lazily. ''Momma stop you'll wake up brudda!''
"Oh! I will, won't it?" Her mother smiled warmly and pulled her into her arms, cradling her with all the warmth she had to offer. ''How about we all go wake up daddy and go get some food, huh?"
The little girl suddenly snapped awake and began to bounce up and down excitedly. "Momma, momma, can we get eggs and fruit?"
Her mother squeezed her tightly and nodded. ''Whatever you want, honey.''
Alaura giggled and slowly climbed out of bed, landing with a plop and running quickly to her brother's crib that she insisted be in her room. She couldn't sleep well when he was away from her.
''Jacob, lil brudda, up up!" She cooed, unaware of the happy gaze on her back. Her brother squirmed and reached out sleepily for her pinky. ''Jacoooob, come on up up!"
Her brother giggled in his sleep and rubbed tiredly at his eyes, holding his arms out for her to hold him. Sticking her tongue out in determination she tippy toed and pulled him up, holding his small form to her chest.
Alaura's laughter traveled through the house. ''Let's go momma!"
Mom.
"You-'' her words got lodged in her throat as she looked at the woman that claimed to be her mother. It was like she was seeing double. Where her mother should be stood this white haired woman. There were no wavy brown locks, no dark brown eyes.
There was only crimson and crisp white.
Fushimi saw Alaura's head droop and felt an irrational sense of protectiveness overcome him. His lip pulled down in a scowl as he regarded the mystery woman. Only he got to make people feel like crap, no one else. ''Stop lying to yourself. Alaura's mother died in a fatal car accident and her and her husband's bodies were never found in the wreckage due to the explosion.''
Her moth-the woman sighed and shrugged her shoulders. ''My father, your grandfather, had tried to kill us that day with the car crash. You were so strong, getting Jacob out of the car all by yourself. I watched you the entire time you know. You tried to come back for us…but my father got to me before you did.''
''You didn't see anything.'' Fushimi spat, ''It was pronounced you were dead upon impact with the other car.''
The woman sent him a disgusted look and began to stalk towards him, her robes dragging across the grime coated floor. ''Are you saying that I'm lying about being Alaura's mother?"
''I'm saying you're a lying delusional woman who kidnapped us for the hell of it.'' Saru cocked his chin out in defiance. He wouldn't bow to this creep.
Ruby red glimmered with the thirst for a kill. ''Then I'll eliminate your opinion…permanently.''
''Get away from him!"
Fushimi and the woman started, surprised to see the tears running furiously down Alaura's face. Her irises were bleeding red and her aura began to circle her feet. Locks of wavy brown hair began to float around her head.
With a loud cry Alaura lunged forward, the snap of metal breaking being all Fushimi heard as he watched Alaura charge and land on top of the woman. The woman barely had time to raise her hands to defend herself when Alaura's flame coated fist sent her flying backwards.
She crashed into the iron cage, her crimson eyes widening as the pain registered before they closed in a tight cry as Alaura landed a kick on her chest and made her break through the iron walls.
Alaura stood breathing heavily, memories dancing before her and all making her angrier than she had been the previous second.
''How dare you.'' She seethed, reaching down and pulling the woman up by the front of her robes. The woman's head lolled back as a dribble of blood fell down from her mouth. ''How dare you threaten my family! I'll kill you!"
Fushimi watched with wide eyes as Alaura never gave the woman a fighting chance. Fists were flying, teeth were bared, and the woman was only ever able to keep Alaura from totally annihilating her.
''You idiot,'' he whispered, watching her muscles strain as they were being forced to be used to extreme lengths. Alaura choked on her own blood but spat it aside, ignoring how the blood on her chest was now fresh again.
''You idiot,'' he breathed, straining against his restraints. ''Stop! Stop! Alaura, you fucking idiot your wound! Your promise!"
Alaura blocked out Fushimi's words and reared her fist to let it fly into the woman's cheek once more. A satisfying crunch of bone reached her and she went for it again, red being all she could see.
She was rational and thought things through, but the moment her moth- this woman threatened Fushimi, one of her clan, her thoughts just snapped.
No one could touch her family. No one had the power to get through her and hurt them. If she could save them she would never stop, never stop pushing.
''I'll live to protect them!" She cried, unaware of the sharp pain that rang through the hearts that were on the way to her and Fushimi. Her body was straining to keep up with her desires and she refused to stop. ''But a promise means nothing if I'm alive and they're all dead!''
''I- I'm your family-'' the woman choked out feebly. She pawed weakly at the hand that held her by the throat. "I-I'm your…your mother…''
"I don't care.'' Alaura spat coldly, shocking the woman. ''If you were my mother, you would have never chained me up. If you were my mother, you would have never abandoned me. If-if you were my mother-'' her eyes filled with tears as she savagely bit her lip. ''If you were my mother…you would have been there for Jacob!"
The woman's eyes widened to the size of saucers as her breath caught in her throat. ''Alaura…'' she attempted. "Please…forgive me. Your brother…he wasn't strong enough. It had to be him, can't you see that? Without his death your powers wouldn't have-wouldn't have begun to bloom.''
Alaura froze, as did Fushimi, as they both tried to process what this woman had just admitted to them.
''Are you saying…'' Alaura choked. ''That you…that you…you knew Jacob would die? You knew?"
''It was for the best! Look how strong you are now!" The woman pleaded. ''We never imagined your power could be this strong, that you could successfully bond with a king! When your grandfather absorbs your powers our clan will be restored to our former glory!"
Alaura released her mother's throat, suddenly disgusted at the thought of their skin touching. She stumbled back and clutched her wound on her chest, gripping the cage for support.
''Wow…I thought I was fucked up.'' Fushimi commented dully.
''You're saying all of this manipulation…was so that my grandfather could absorb my powers and become strong?" Alaura dared to ask.
Her mother pulled herself up into a sitting position and coughed harshly into her hand. ''The plan was to expose you to tragedy and let the demons bloom inside of you. Then, at the right time…you would be killed and the demons would be released to flow back to your grandfather, the rightful King. Sweetie…you can't handle being the purple King!"
''I defeated the demons!" Alaura lashed out, ''With the help of my King, Mikoto Suoh of Homra, I have the strength to say Jacob's name and smile! All you two did for me was try to kill me!''
Her mother winced at her harsh tone and hung her head. ''You would be at peace if you were dead though…''
Alaura's eyes widened as her heart broke in her chest. The first time she had seen her mother since she was four years old, and she was ruining the vague, but happy memories she had.
''At peace if I were dead…'' Alaura echoed. ''The demons don't make the purple King's strength, they ruin us! I can see that now…the reason why you were pulled back here to him. It's because of your greed. Were we not enough for you? What of dad?!"
Her mother's nose crinkled as she shivered. ''Your father offered me nothing but bills and troubles. 'Moko, have you fed the children?' 'Moko, is Jacob's fever down?' 'Moko, why did you forget Alaura at school?' He was suffocating me!"
Disgusted Alaura looked away from the woman at her feet. So it was true, the demons had infected her mother and fed on her fury and greed for a richer life. Her father had been a proud, strong, yet gentle man who always kissed her and Jacob goodnight. He wore round glasses and laughed with his belly, which always made her and Jacob giggle.
A tear slipped down her dirty cheek. She tried so hard to not think of him, the sting of her parent's losses haunting her. Master Ichigen had taken up the role to fill that emptiness inside of her. He became the father she had lost.
Now they were both gone, and she was left with a vindictive, greedy mother.
It was obvious. The story was wrong, the story was all wrong. Her parents hadn't died together in love, one did-but the other was happy to be rid of him. Her mother let the demons in her rule over her…and her grandfather had convinced her he was the only true King.
Her mother, succumbing to the demons and being a dutiful clansmen, allowed the lineage of power to be passed down to her.
They were both able to swallow the notion of killing her for their own benefit.
Struggling to a stand Alaura walked past the defeated form of her mother with a heavy heart. Coming besides Fushimi she regained control of her powers and focused on a thin line of red to cut through them.
Fushimi stumbled forward and brought his wrists to view them. ''Clean cut, couldn't do that for yourself?"
Alaura swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head. '' Couldn't see. Now let's go home.''
''Wait!"
She didn't turn around, but she did pause to let her mother speak.
"You won't be able to escape this place without the Purple king's permission. He has this place bewitched so that anyone who comes in must stay. Please Alaura, accept your inevitable death now and bring glory to our clan.''
Alaura looked over her shoulder with a cool glare. ''Does grandfather plan to kill me himself to gain my power?"
Moko faltered and shook her head. "He is unable to kill the King next in line or risk total destruction to our clan. We will be completely wiped out if that were to happen.''
Fushimi raised a brow and stuffed his hands into his pockets. ''Then I think we should kill this King once and for all. With him dead that leaves you and Alaura as the last people of the Purple Clan. You should be easy to dispatch here and now-'' he went towards her with a kunai exposed, grin wide.
''Stop.'' A hand gripped his upper arm and he paused in his step as Moko cringed. Alaura raised her gaze to meet his and shook her head.
''She wants you dead. '' He deadpanned.
''I know.'' She whispered, accustomed to the dull throb of pain in her chest now. She couldn't tell if it were physical or emotional. ''But we can't kill her now, who knows how my grandfather will react to her death. Also…she's badly wounded. It's a coward's way out.''
Any hope Moko had for her daughter to spare her and let her kill her now was dashed as her smiled vanished. She simply didn't want to anger her father.
Fushimi rolled his eyes. ''Have it your way then.''
The two walked away slowly, beginning the search for the Purple King. Moko curled in on herself, a sadistic smile on her lips as she chuckled to herself.
''It worked perfectly…'' she cooed. "My daughter…by tonight, you will die by my hand-or the hand of another.''
She raised her hand which was stained with veins of black and if possible her grin became wider, pearly white fangs exposed that were dirty from her blood. Dark swirls danced over her knuckles before seeping back to hide underneath her skin, demons that she had used to infect her own child.
''Your clan draws near. These demons are not of your own so it will be impossible to control them.'' Her ruby jems danced as she wiped away at the blood and stood to her full height, admiring the damage her daughter had done to her ''I think I'll make you kill them…before I kill you.''
''We're here.''
Mikoto stopped and looked up at the sound of Anna's announcement. It had been a day and a half journey across miles and miles of water to get here, and half of the second day's journey just to get here right before nightfall.
A towering castle stood before them. The bricks were a smooth, almost marble like lavender in color. Vines scaled across the wall, disappearing around the many windows in place.
To be frank, it was plain.
''They're in there?" He questioned, narrowing his eyes and stepping forward. The white haired girl looked up at him tiredly before her gaze slid back to the double doors that loomed in front of them, taunting them.
''Yes." She whispered, feeling Alaura's emotions as clear as she felt the warmth of the sun. Fushimi's were more subdued than usual, the rage and malice not as potent. "They're moving.''
''They escaped then?'' Munakata stepped forward, looking sideways at Mikoto.
The Red King frowned down at his shoes and started towards the door, stopping when he was arm's length away.
He could feel her.
She was terrified, terrified and angry and heartbroken and full of bloodthirst. But beneath that, beneath all of the things that threatened to consume her-was hope.
She knew they were coming for them, and even with the anger trying to take her over she refused to lose hope in her clan.
A small smile played on his lips as he laid his hand palm down upon the door, feeling its grooves against his fingers. He could hear Liz coming up to the front of the line, so he assumed Kuroh and Yata weren't far away.
They had to make the two of them promise to stay in the back until they arrived where Alaura and Fushimi were being kept. Their fear for their sister was palpable and made them hostile, too hostile for them to think clearly.
"I'm coming.'' He said low, a red aura running down his arm. ''I'm coming for you.''
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A deep rumble echoed through the halls of the castle and she tripped up, catching herself before she fell to the ground. Eyes wide she looked behind them in distrust that they were being followed.
A sharp pain in her temple made itself known and she gasped, clutching her head and reaching out for Fushimi to steady her.
''What-'' he cut himself off, seeing the agony on her face. His eyebrows furrowed. ''Hey, knock it off. Did you hear that?"
Alaura blinked blearily and swallowed her spit to coat her dry throat as she pulled herself back up. "What the hell…?'' she mumbled, confused to her bout of pain.
Could I be so weak? My body could try to be shutting itself down to heal…
''Hey! Are you listening to me?" Fushimi's face filled her vision, his irritated look in place. They had been running down halls for what felt like hours now and just kept getting lost.
Alaura batted him away and looked ahead with a contemplating look. Of course she had heard the explosion, it was just a matter of knowing what the hell it was. She started forward at a jog to get closer and grinned at the exasperated sigh Fushimi gave.
"Come on slow poke,'' she teased, looking over her shoulder. ''I want to go home.''
"As if I don't?" he spat.
''Well if you keep-''
''ALAURA!"
She stopped dead and looked up, cutting herself off at the sound of her name being called. Fushimi slowed down beside her.
''Did you…" He trailed off.
"yeah.'' She whispered.
Someone had called her name.
"ALAURA! FUSHIMI! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
''MISS ALAURA!''
''MR FUSHIMI!"
"WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?!"
Alaura choked back a laugh as her shoulders sagged in relief as the voices of her clan and family reached them. They could defeat the Purple King and go home!
"Fushimi,'' she choked out, smiling widely. "Hurry up!"
Alaura dashed forward, pushing her legs to run faster as the cries fueled her on. Her heart panged in her chest and she sniffled, clenching her eyes shut to rid herself of the tears.
She was so happy.
''We're here!" She called out, "EVERYONE!"
There was a beat of silence and both her and Fushimi were terrified that they had made up the whole thing or it was a cruel trick played upon them by the Purple King.
Then there were cries.
"ALAURA!"
''OH THANK GOD MISS ALAURA!"
''FUSHIMI ARE YOU OKAY?!"
She turned a corner and stopped in her tracks as her chest rose and fell quickly. Fushimi halted beside her but she paid little attention, her gaze trained on her little yet huge family.
Twenty or so members of Homra beamed at her from where they stood clutching various weapons. Her eyes welled with tears as she saw Lia and Kuroh's shoulders sag, saw Yata whoop in excitement, her dear friends all excited that they were well.
Anna and Mikoto were staring at her.
"YOU GUYS!" She cried, throwing her arms open and lunging to grip them all to her. Anna and Mikoto were squished to her side as Kuroh and Liz struggled to breathe in her bosom. Yata, Kusanagi, Rikio and Tatara struggling to breathe as their arms flailed.
Other members of Homra laughed and raised their fists in the air as they found their King's girlfriend alive. But they weren't safe.
''What are you doing?" Alaura snapped, looking over struggling friends. "This is a group hug! Get over here!"
They blinked but one sharp glare made them rush forward and hug, laughter filling the air as they all chatted excitedly to one another.
''That's my foot!"
''Well move it!"
"You're lucky we're friends!"
Alaura laughed to herself and buried her face in Mikoto's shoulder, sagging and letting the others hold up her weak body as she clung them tighter to her.
''I was so worried they did something to you.'' She admitted out loud. ''I was so scared.''
''Hey-we're here now.'' Tatara smiled awkwardly as his cheek was pressed against Kusanagi's. ''We're all together now.''
Fushimi walked slowly to Scepter 4, ignoring the large and loud group hug currently taking place. He stopped in front of Munakata and bowed slightly, shutting his eyes as he awaited whatever was in store for him.
''Stand up, Fushimi.''
Wary Fushimi raised to his full height and met the Captain's gaze evenly. His face was its permanent cool façade as he was determined to be their leader.
''Are you hurt?" Munakata questioned.
Fushimi shook his head in response and clasped his hands behind his back. "No, sir. I was not injured. Though Miss Alaura of Homra sustained critical injuries in our escape from captivity.''
Munakata raised a brow at Fushimi's show of slight concern for the brown haired girl that Mikoto was currently clutching in his arms.
''Fushimi…are you alright?"
"Yes, sir I-oh.''
Munakata reached forward and pulled the boy to his chest, resting his chin on his head and smiling slightly. The other members of Scepter 4 smiled proudly as one of their own was returned safely to them. Awashima smiled warmly, as much as she could, at the show of affection their captain displayed.
Fushimi's eyes were wide as he looked over at Alaura, their gazes connecting as she beamed happily at him. He felt…warm.
She just found out her mother wants her dead, he thought in disbelief, and she still manages to smile?
What an idiot…
"Oh, how gross. I'm jealous, sweetheart. You love those not of your own blood more than you love your own mother?"
Alaura snapped to attention and twirled, shoving Anna behind her leg and standing in front of her clan protectively. A red, dome like barrier instantly erupted around Homra and Scepter 4 and she winced but pushed on.
My strength is waning, she thought but shook it off. I have to finish her…and fast.
Fushimi pounded on the barrier as his stomach dropped, an unfamiliar and uncomfortable feeling. What was she doing?!
''Alaura!" Liz pounded on the barrier and even lashed out at it with her own power-but it was useless.
Mikoto's fury increased as he threw punch after punch at her barrier, his power useless to make her drop the shield.
''Alaura!" He shouted, a grimace on his face as his shoulders shook.
Anna's eyes watered as she held herself and watched Alaura's back. She was so weak, but she was using the last of her strength to keep three Kings safely away.
''Alaura…'' she whispered.
''Leave them alone.'' Alaura threatened, pushing her shoulders back and narrowing her eyes. "This is between you and me.''
''Ah, it is, isn't it?" Moko grinned and cracked her neck. "But where's the fun in playing nice?"
She snapped her fingers.
A deafening, sickly, crunch and snap of bone met Homra and Scepter 4 and they watched in shock as Alaura crumpled to her knees like she was lifeless.
Pain.
The pain of her leg being snapped clean through made her begin to lose focus, her muscles spasming from the pain being registered. Her nerves were shot as her body convulsed, damaging the bone further.
''What-'' she gasped, her breaths labored as she saw Homra begin to panic and freak out, desperate and begging for her to let them out.
But she couldn't.
Especially that now she knew her mother could hurt without even having to move.
Her eyes began to roll into the back of her head as a seizure was triggered. Her mind stopped thinking rationally but the deep seeded protectiveness was still in place.
''Oh, I was for sure that would make her lose control on that pesky barrier. I can't get out more than three at a time.'' Moko pouted and came forward to stand over Alaura's convulsing form. "You're making this a lot harder on yourself you know. At your peak of strength I wouldn't even be able to get near them, but in this state I can slightly worm my way in.''
Blank brown eyes stared up at her, hearing but not listening.
''I guess I just have to figure out how to hurt you with three...'' Moko rose to a standing position and tilted her head, scanning the faces of Alaura's many cherished people.
They were all triggers for Alaura…but she wanted to find the best ones. Mikoto Suoh wasn't even a chance. The moment he was released he would incinerate her if the anger in his eyes was anything to go by. So who could she…-ah.
There.
With a swipe of her hand blackish purple whipped out and ensnared her three targets, piercing through the red. She screamed as a quick whip of fire traveled back towards her and slowly tried to burn her alive. Quickly she pulled them from the barrier and threw them into the cold wall.
Clutching her charred form she glared heatedly down at her daughter. "You keep trying to kill me!" She accused. "Cut it out!"
Alaura choked on lost air.
"Sister!" Kuroh shouted, running forward but skidding to a stop as the woman who claimed to be Alaura's mother blocked his path. Clenching his teeth he gripped the handle to his sword tightly.
"Who are you truly?" Kuroh demanded, voice pure ice as he heard his sister struggle to breathe but struggle to keep the others safe from this woman.
Sister…
''Kuroh!"
Liz clutched a defenseless Anna to her chest, hiding the shaking girl from the mad woman's view and her sword out and ready. Alaura would never forgive herself if Anna was hurt in all of this, and neither would she.
"You're her adopted siblings.'' Moko stated, looking at them with a twinge of disgust. "And that girl, Alaura thinks of her as a daughter. The same goes for you three doesn't it? You call her sister and that girl looks up to her. My daughter is so well at manipulating other's hearts.''
''She didn't manipulate us!" Liz shouted, narrowing her gaze. "We love each other because we choose to!"
"Stop referring of my sister as your daughter." Kuroh growled low, his bangs loose. "She could never have been born from a creature like you.''
"Oh?" Moko raised a brow and stretched out her hand, smirking. ''Creature?"
A blast of purple shot out towards Kuroh and he prepared himself for impact, raising his own power a second too late. Clenching his eyes shut he awaited the Purple power but when he felt nothing, he opened his eyes.
Only to rush forward and grip a falling Alaura in his arms.
Her boy couldn't take much more, she realized. Her power was near depletion and her mind was fading. It had taken everything she had just to move to get in front of Kuroh and absorb the blast, the power not harmful to its rightful owner. It was useless to use however, she had near zero control or usage of it.
Black veins traveled up her neck and she inhaled quickly. "Kuroh…'' She whispered, smiling lightly.
''Alaura!" Liz and Anna appeared in her vision and her hand was gripped in a small pale hand.
''Oh no, I refuse to let you die in the arms of the people you betrayed me for!" Moko screeched, furious at her daughter's morals that were in place. If she had been able to kill that boy Alaura's mind would have blanked and allowed the demons control without Moko having to trigger it herself! That was too risky, the mind had to give in to the demons on their own decision.
''I'll-I'll never let you-hurt them.'' She whispered harshly, leaning her head on Kuroh's shoulder. A shaky, yet deep, red barrier enveloped their bodies and Alaura pulled herself up out of their embrace. Her leg felt as if she was going to die.
"Alaura stop this! We can help you!" Liz cried.
"Help me…'' she murmured, smiling. "You've already done that, Liz. All of you. Now I cant let her hurt you. No dying, member?''
''Enough!" Moko screeched, making up her mind. "It's time for the big finale! Alaura, you will kill all of them!"
She snapped her fingers and that sentenced her fate.
Alaura's back arched and her mouth opened into a soundless scream. The black veins stretched over her face, creating a cracked effect and turning her a deathly shade of gray.
Homra felt intense rage and hollered louder as they watched their friend be hurt. Mikoto pounded against the barrier along with everyone else, their combined powers cracking the shield.
"No…'' Anna cried, feeling the warmth and seeing the colors that made Alaura begin to turn a sickly shade the rest of the world was painted in. "No…''
''Sister.'' Kuroh whispered, a tear falling down his cheek as he heard her howls and saw her subconsciously strengthen their barriers.
''Alaura.'' Liz growled, her blue gaze focused on the woman. Hatred filled her heart as she set Anna down and focused on breaking down the barrier. Her, it was her fault Alaura was trying to save them. Alaura was at fault for not letting them help her, but with the power the woman demonstrated she didn't blame her.
I'll kill her for you, Alaura. She swore, azure eyes steel. I'll kill her.
''Allow me total control of your body, Alaura.'' Moko cackled over the screams and shouts of rage. She lived for this, lived for the constant pain she could inflict on others.
It made her feel alive.
''Moko…'' Alaura gnashed out, one eye purely black while the other was trained on her. A slight chill ran down her neck at the look of pure determination. "I'll drag you down to hell.''
Moko, hiding her fear, smiled sarcastically. "Promise?"
Alaura grimaced as her body seized up once more, her gaze locked on Mikoto's amber eyes. They stared at one another for a moment and she smiled, thankful knowing he would protect them from her. Breaking their gaze she looked over at Munakata, the Blue King.
She was asking so much of him, she was about to ask him to do something not even she could do, but she had to. It was selfish, it was cruel, but it had to be done. For the sake of her friends and family.
"Kill me.'' She pleaded, knowing he heard her over the angry cries. Lavender orbs widened in disbelief. "Kill me before I hurt someone…please.'' Her eyes fluttered shut and she dropped to the floor unconscious.
The barriers cracked.
Everyone stepped back as the crack spread over them, splitting off into another million small cracks. It was silent for a moment before the sound of what seemed to be a soft sigh echoed and the barrier shattered into the air, pieces of red falling around them.
Moko was ready.
Lunging backwards with an unconscious Alaura in her arms she raised her hand in a warning for the stampede to stop, aiming a blade against Alaura's throat.
''Come any closer…and I'll kill her. This is all just fun and games for me.'' She cooed, running the blade along her black veined cheek.
The air was thick with a burning heat as Homra cautiously took a step back, snapping at the blues to move back and to not even think of trying to do what they heard Alaura ask of them.
It was slow at first. They saw Alaura's cuts and blood begin to fade. They heard the snap of bone as it fixed itself and winced, not envious of that pain.
Her finger twitched and soon her whole hand was twitching. Eyelids fluttered open as total black orbs stared up into nothingness.
''Ah…sweetheart…''Moko crooned and looked up into the burning amber eyes of Mikoto Suoh. She felt as if she was being hunted by a lion.
It was thrilling.
"Darling,'' Moko tilted her head. Alaura made no move she heard her, just continued to stare blankly up at the ceiling. "Can you be a doll…and kill them all?"
Alaura was void of emotion as she slowly stood up and faced them, bringing her hand up to her chest as black swirls of smoke engulfed her fist.
''Snap out of it!" Yata cried. "Alaura!"
"Sister!" Kuroh shouted.
The rest of their pleas fell on deaf ears as Alaura scanned them all before her eyes fell on the prime candidate to begin with. Moko, seeing her sight, cheered inwardly at the malice tainting Alaura's powers.
''Kill Alaura! Kill the people you would lay your life down for!"
Alaura charged for a despair filled white haired girl with ruby tear filled eyes.
"Alaura!" She screamed as the swirls of black began to fill her sight. ''Alaura-please! MOM!"
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A/N: Hello lovelies! I hope you all are faring well. I'm wrapping this up after making sure I finished all of my work for school. I was determined to finish this chapter and I'm happy I did.
Review, eat amazing food, and have a great day/night!
-ScarlettWriter
PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 18: Loved Ones
"I loved you.''